Off-duty Garda Caoileann Fitzmaurice avoids assault conviction for Ennis hotel porter attack
Caoileann Fitzmaurice, 31, an off-duty Garda and former Roscommon senior inter-county footballer, pleaded guilty to assaulting hotel porter Olufegun Lawal at the Queen's Hotel in Ennis, Co Clare, on 21 January 2023. Judge Alec Gabbett at Ennis District Court imposed the Probation Act and a €5,000 compensation order without recording a conviction, citing Fitzmaurice's engagement with Probation Services.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced27 Jun
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports25 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe off-duty garda assaulted a hotel porter in Ennis, Co Clare (irishtimes.com)
- whatFitzmaurice struck Lawal two times, once in the nose and once in the left eye, and Lawal caught a third blow. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatLawal suffered a bloody nose and received medical attention later that morning. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe incident spilled onto the street where a witness saw Fitzmaurice holding onto Lawal and kicking out. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe incident was captured on CCTV footage. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe assault occurred on 21 January 2023 (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- causeFitzmaurice was exceptionally intoxicated and in a confused state after drinking sambucas during a stag weekend. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe garda pleaded guilty to the assault (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was heard at Ennis District Court before Judge Alec Gabbett (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe garda was spared a conviction and the Probation Act was imposed (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceA compensation order for €5,000 was made in favour of the victim (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge imposed the Probation Act and a €5,000 compensation order without recording a conviction. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe garda will face internal Garda disciplinary proceedings (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe garda is stationed at Pearse Street Garda Station in Dublin (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe garda is captain of the Michael Glaveys senior football team in Roscommon (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge said the garda was not convicted due to his engagement with Probation Services (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim opted not to provide a victim impact statement (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe garda had represented Roscommon at senior inter-county football level (irishtimes.com)
- otherFitzmaurice has no previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherFitzmaurice has given up alcohol, engaged in counselling, is getting married, and has engaged in pro-social activities. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherFitzmaurice attested as a Garda in 2017 and is stationed at Pearse Street Garda Station in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherFitzmaurice is captain of his local senior football team, Michael Glavey's in Roscommon. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe prosecution was taken by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC). (irishmirror.ie)
- otherFitzmaurice shook hands with Lawal on his way out of the courtroom. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe judge noted internal disciplinary proceedings within An Garda Síochána would have to happen. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 27 Jun2025Ex-county GAA star avoids assault rap after getting 'paralytic drunk' on stag
Sentencing report: Judge Gabbett imposed the Probation Act and €5,000 compensation order without a conviction, noting Fitzmaurice's exemplary engagement with Probation Services, his giving up alcohol, counselling, and his criminology qualification. The case was prosecuted by GSOC.
victim, Olufegun Lawal, male, non-irish (judged from name)Olufegun Lawalaccused, Caoileann Fitzmaurice, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Caoileann Fitzmaurice - 27 Jun2025Off-duty garda who assaulted hotel porter while ‘paralytic drunk’ spared conviction
Reports the sentencing outcome: the garda was spared a formal conviction, the Probation Act was imposed, a €5,000 compensation order was made, and internal Garda disciplinary proceedings will follow.
victim, Olufegun Lawal, male, non-irish (judged from name)Olufegun Lawalaccused, Caoileann Fitzmaurice, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Caoileann Fitzmaurice